Chapter 403

Evelyn had exhausted all words with Ethan. She'd laid bare every truth, every painful detail.

Yet he remained trapped in his delusions, weaving fantasies where none existed.

It was as if he'd constructed an elaborate daydream and now sought to pull her into its suffocating embrace.

As she finished the last bite of the meal he'd prepared, a flicker of triumph crossed his features.

"I'll be staying here this week," he announced, wiping his hands on a dish towel. "Just name what you're craving—I'll make it happen."

Silence stretched between them like a taut wire.

The crushing reality of being imprisoned with him settled over Evelyn like a leaden cloak.

But survival instincts kicked in—she knew maintaining his fragile good humor was her only path to eventual freedom.

"Those designer pieces I sent yesterday," he pressed, leaning against the marble counter. "You didn't even try them on?"

Her laugh held no warmth. "What's the point of dressing up for a gilded cage?"

Most women adorned themselves to be seen. But she'd rather walk through fire than perform for her jailer.

The grandfather clock in the hall ticked ominously, counting down the hours of her captivity. Outside, a world continued turning without her—a world where Alexander must be tearing the city apart searching for her.

Ethan's phone buzzed with another message, likely from that snake Vanessa. Evelyn clenched her fork until her knuckles whitened.

"Eat up," he murmured, refilling her wine glass with expensive burgundy. "You'll need your strength."

The unspoken threat hung between them like a guillotine blade.

Somewhere beyond these gilded walls, a storm was gathering. And Evelyn intended to be its eye when it finally broke free.

An invisible barrier had formed between them.

Evelyn's rejection was palpable, and Ethan had no idea how to bridge the distance.

The television played softly in the background, broadcasting a segment about an upcoming concert in Cresthaven featuring a world-renowned pianist.

Evelyn found herself momentarily entranced by the performance.

Noticing her lingering gaze, Ethan spoke up. "You want to go, don't you? I remember you used to play the cello."

She flicked her eyes toward him before lowering them again. "You've made sure I can't leave this place. How could I even think about going out?"

With that, she turned off the TV and headed toward the stairs.

Ethan's frown deepened when he noticed her bare feet.

Before she could take another step, he strode forward and swept her into his arms.

"Ethan! Put me down! What are you doing?" Evelyn protested, startled by his sudden movement.

"Taking you upstairs. The floors are freezing—you shouldn’t be walking around barefoot."

In her haste to get away from him, she hadn’t bothered with shoes, giving him the perfect excuse.

As she struggled in his hold, he tightened his grip. "Stop squirming. I don’t want to risk hurting the baby."

The moment he mentioned their child, Evelyn went completely still.

A satisfied smirk tugged at Ethan's lips, pleased to have finally captured her attention.

Without another word, he scooped her into his arms and carried her upstairs, depositing her gently onto the plush bed.

The second Evelyn's back hit the mattress, her eyes narrowed in suspicion.

Ignoring her wary glare, Ethan seized her bare foot.

"Where are your socks? It's freezing!"

"What are you doing?"

She tried to yank her leg away, but his grip only tightened.

"I'm just trying to warm you up," he insisted, his voice softer than she expected. "I swear I'm not being creepy. Can you relax for once?"

Her frown deepened.

Even during the years she had shamelessly pursued him, they had never been this close.

The tension between them was unbearable. Acting on instinct, she snatched a pillow and hurled it at his face.

"Hey," he dodged effortlessly, his tone shifting abruptly. "Didn't you want to go to that orchestra concert? I'll take you."

Her breath caught.

She stared at him, stunned into silence.

Had she heard him right?

"Hold on—what did you just say?"

"I'm taking you to the concert. Maybe we could... try being civil with each other?"

"You're actually letting me leave the house?"

Hidden Desires: A Second Chance at Love (Evelyn Carter)

The words hung between them, charged with disbelief. Alexander Whitmore—her husband, her captor, the man who had kept her locked away like a fragile bird in a gilded cage—was offering her freedom. Even if just for one night.

Evelyn studied his face, searching for the catch. His jaw was set, his storm-gray eyes unreadable. The same eyes that had burned with fury when she’d last defied him.

But now?

Now there was something else. Something that made her pulse stutter.

Was it guilt? Regret?

Or worse—hope?

She swallowed hard, fingers curling into the fabric of her dress. "Why?"

Alexander exhaled sharply, running a hand through his dark hair. "Because I’m tired of fighting."

The admission stunned her.

Since the day they’d been forced into this marriage, it had been nothing but battles—silent and explosive, cold and searing. Every word a weapon, every glance a challenge.

And now he wanted a truce?

For a concert?

Her lips parted, but before she could respond, he added quietly, "One night, Evelyn. No guards. No conditions. Just... us."

Just us.

Two words that shouldn’t have meant anything.

But they did.

They always had.

She lifted her chin. "Fine. But if this is some kind of trick—"

"It’s not." His voice was rough, almost pleading. "For once, just... trust me."

Trust.

The most dangerous word of all.

Evelyn hesitated—then nodded.

One night.

One chance.

And maybe, just maybe, one step toward something neither of them dared name.